Technical TO FUSE OR NOT?

Replacing mechanical speedo. with electric unit; says to make it run off the ignition switch but makes no mention if it should be fused, would adding a 3 amp fuse be a good or bad idea?

 

i'd run it from the terminal on your fuse panel marked gauges

 

It would probably be a good idea.

btw fuses are there to protect the wires. If the wire shorts to ground, the fuse will melt, instead of the wire. So make sure the fuse is the appropriate size for the thickness of wire you are using.

 

Will take it to my switchable fuse panel with 3 amp fuse, wire is 18 gauge. Thanks for the help guys.

 

Does the gauge only draw 3 amps? Make sure the fuse is sized to supply enough amperage to the gauge.

 

A 3 amp fuse to me sounds like a lack of commitment. I'd go with a 5-10.

 

3 amps should be plenty for an electronic speedo.

 

Use a fuse that will handle just a little less than the wire you're using. The weakest link will melt first.

 

It wouldn't be a bad idea to either check on the gauge mfg' website to see if they show the draw from the gauge or contact their tech line and ask. You don't want a whole lot more fuse than what the speedo draws. Someone suggested that the fuse was there to protect the wire but along with that it is there to pop if the unit all the sudden draws too many amps for one reason or another.

 

Size your wire for the devices.size your protection for the wire.

 

And size for length,too. As a short low amp run it shouldn't be too concerning.

 

Just remember that if you use too large a fuse it's a good idea to keep some of this in your shop supplies.